ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I met this lovely guy ... or so I thought. We met at a group gathering with mutual friends, and by the end of the night, the two of us were tucked away in our own corner. That same night, he texted me and asked if he could see me again at the end of the week. He sent a restaurant and a time and asked if that was OK with my taste ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at the dentist last week and the hygienist, whom I had never met before, mentioned she had a new grandchild. I naturally congratulated her and asked the polite questions: sex, name, etc.

Then she asked about my children, and I replied that I have one son. "Is he married?" No, but he's in a long-term relationship. "Any ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for nearly half our lives, and we've always had a strong relationship. The problem we're facing now is her family -- specifically her younger brother and his household.

Her brother has never been particularly motivated, and although we've always been cordial, we've never seen eye to eye. Early in my...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Last year, after several years overseas, my husband and I returned stateside and moved to my hometown. It has been a lonely transition. One of my friends from school, "Skip," has helped, but more and more, he dominates social situations by framing what people first learn about me and my husband. It is usually unflattering or one-...Read more

Feminism is changing. The vitality that made sisters of us all, women tethered to one another by indignation and conviction, is becoming more personal. The battle for equal partnership is being waged in corporate offices, day care centers, private homes -- no longer by bra-burning mobs in public squares -- and it will ultimately be won by women ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 40 years old, and I haven't been able to find a job in a year. I have had to move back in with my parents, and it's been a difficult time. I used to work for a good company; I had a great career, and I was doing well financially. I got laid off at the beginning of last year, and I haven't had any luck in finding a new role. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work at a small, family-owned business where a few employees have dietary restrictions, some by choice and some by medical necessity.

I love to cook and bake at home, and since it is just myself and my partner, I often have extra portions. Is it rude to bring food to share at the workplace that doesn't meet the restrictions...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 75-year-old widow who has lived in the same little Cape for 43 years. I still do my own shopping, I drive myself to church, and I host Sunday supper when my joints cooperate. I'm not fragile, but I am ... older. And lately, I feel like everyone is determined to treat me like a porcelain figurine.

It started after I slipped ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband is 76 but doesn't look a day over 60. He has a full head of hair with little graying, no facial wrinkles, and he's fairly fit. I'm 71 and look every day my age, probably older. I have graying hair -- lots of it -- but I like the color and will never dye it. I am fit, but the deep facial wrinkles and turkey neck emphasize my...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My girlfriend and I have been together for about two years now, and we have decided that we are ready for unprotected sex. With this decision came the discussion of birth control, which we both agreed on, and STI testing, which my girlfriend insists on. When she went to her birth control consultation, she says that she got tested...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I live in a very cliquey condo community, and I feel left out when I don't get invited to the lunches or dinners out with the other ladies. And then I feel even more left out when someone who moved out of our community still gets included in these events.

I know I can't say anything about this to the people in question. I ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 42-year-old mom of two. I've been remarried for three years, and I'm trying hard to do the blended family thing with grace. My husband has a 16-year-old daughter, "Mia," who lives with us half the time. Most days are fine, but there's one issue that has turned our home into a low-grade reality show.

Mia has started recording...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend of several years, "Guy," often asks me to take a trip with him. I have researched accommodations at the suggested destinations, only to have him say they are too pricey. Thus, we never go anywhere, although he could easily afford it.

Now his brother (whom I've never met) has suggested a family cruise and suggested that ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 9-year-old daughter has dyslexia; it has been difficult for her academically. Every night, she cries when she has to do her reading homework because she keeps getting words mixed up. I've tried to get her extra help by taking her to a dyslexia learning center, but she cries when she has to go there as well. She tells me it ...Read more